Mulch-paper-laying machine



June 17, 1930.

c. JUDY MULCH PAPER LAYING MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet ldarl Judy fium A itorney June 17, 1930. C JUDY, 1,763,789

' MULCH PAPER LAYING MACHINE Filed Sept. 14. leis 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JudyInventor A ttorney Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES CARL JUDY, OFNEW PHILADEL PI-IIA, OHIO MULCH-PAPER-LAYING MACHINE Application filedSeptember 14, 1929. Serial No. 392,717.

The present invent-ion relates to a machine for laying mulch paper andthe prime obj ect of the invention resides in the provision of a laborsaving device for laying mulch 6 paper which is now much used bygardeners and small farmers in starting their crops.

This machine will enable one man easily to perform the work of three menin laying mulching paper. Its simplicity of construction and ease ofmanipulation makes it a practical mulch paper laying device in the handsof ordinary laborers.

Another very important object of the invention resides in the provisionof a machine of this nature which can be successfully operatedregardless of conditions and which performs better work than is possibleby laying the paper by hand because it insures the laying of the paperin an even and smooth manner.

Another very important object of the invention resides in the provisionof an adj ustable roller for regulating the depths of the shovels andthe amount of earth thrown over the edges of the paper to hold it inplace so that the paper will not be blown or dis turbed from itsposition by the wind.

A still further very important object of the invention resides in theprovision of a machine of this nature which is comparatively inexpensiveto manufacture, strong and durable, compact and convenient in itsarrangement of parts, easy to adjust and handle, thoroughly eflicientand reliable in use and operation, and otherwise well adapted to thepurpose for which it is designed.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features ofconstruction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will behereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine embodying the features of myinvention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 33of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4l ofFigure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the roller supporting arms.

Referring to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the numeral 5denotes a handle bar on the upper end of the tongue 6 the lower end ofwhich is attached to substantially Z-shaped frame bars 7 portions ofwhich lie alongside the lower end of the tongue and are denotedspecifically by the letter a and merge in outward directed eX- tensionsb which in turn merge into forwardly and inwardly converging arms 0between the forward extremities of which is journaled a wooden roller clabout which the mulching paper 9 is wound to be let OH on the ground asthe machine is pulled forwardly, that is, to the left as indicated inthe drawings. Side bars 10 are pivotally engaged as at 11 with the arms0 immediately adjacent junctures with the portions Z) anti extendforwardly and are connected attheir forward end by a cross-bar 12. Arms14 are secured to the forward extremities of the bars 10 and are curveddownwardly and rearwardly to support shovels 15 shaped like right andleft mold boards of a plow to throw dirt over the edges of the paper asthe machine lays it, thus preventing the wind from disturbing the paper.A roller 16 preferably of steel and having enlarged end portions isprovided with trunnions 17 journaled in the lower extremities of bracketarms 18 which are adjustably engaged with. forward portions of the bar10 by pin and slot connections 19, the pins of which are in the form ofbolts which may be tightened soas to adjust the roller up and downthereby regulating the depth at which the shovels will dig in the groundand the amount of earth which they will throw on the side edges of thepaper as it is being placed on the ground. These bracket arms 18 areofiset inwardly attheir lower ends as clearly indicated in Figure 4.

It is thought that the construction, operation, utility and advantagesof this inven tion will now be quite apparent to those skilled in thisart without a more detailed description thereof. The present embodimentof the invention has been disclosed in considerable detail merely forthe purposes of exemplification since in actual practice it attains thefeatures of advantages enumerated as desirable in the statement of theinvention and the above description.

It will be apparent that changes in the details of constructions, and inthe combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. A machineof the class described comprising a tongue, frame bars of substantiallyZ-shaped formation secured to the tongue and having a roller journaledbetween their extremities adapted to have mulch paper wound thereon,bars secured to the frame bars to extend rearwardly, a roller,adjustable brackets for engaging the roller with the last mentionedbars, a cross bar between the extremities of the last mentioned bars,and shanks attached to said extremities and having shovels on the endsthereof to throw dirt up on the paper as the same is placed on theground.

2. A machine of the class described comprising a tongue, outwardlyextending frame bars mounted on the tongue terminating in rearwardlyconverging end portions, a supporting roller journaled between theconverging end portions upon which mulching paper is wound, and barshingedly connected n; the frame bars adjacent the forward ends of theconverging portions thereof, a roller supported for rotation on thehinged bars rearwardly of the paper supporting roller, and shovelsassociated with the hinged bars rearwardly of the second named roller.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CARL JUDY.

